MITCHELL, SD (Mitchell Now) — Central Electric Cooperative’s Operation Round-Up® program has surpassed $250,000 in local charitable giving following its latest round of community grants awarded in November.
Operation Round-Up allows participating cooperative members to round up their monthly electric bills to the nearest dollar, pooling the extra change to support community projects across Central Electric’s service area. Since the program launched in 2015, it has funded 183 local initiatives.
The volunteer Operation Round-Up Board of Trustees approved more than a dozen new grants this fall, supporting schools, emergency services, community groups and local nonprofits. Awards include:
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Artesian Community Improvement Association — $1,100 for concession stand equipment
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Bridgewater-Emery School District — $1,000 for STEM supplies
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Brule County Historical Society — $1,100 for building improvements
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Crow Creek Tribal Schools — $1,500 for star quilts
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Fedora Fire Department — $1,500 for building improvements
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Kimball School District — $1,000 for Missoula Children’s Theatre
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Letcher Community Development Foundation — $1,000 for community signs
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Rural Office of Community Services — $2,100 for senior meals
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Sanborn Central School District — $1,100 for a greenhouse project
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Sanborn County Ambulance — $1,100 for emergency equipment
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Spartan Trap League — $700 for training equipment
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Stickney Fire Department — $1,000 for portable radios
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White Lake FFA — $1,000 for program expenses
“Since 2015, Operation Round-Up has supported 183 community-focused projects across our service area, and we couldn’t do it without the support of our membership,” said Tara Miller, Central Electric’s manager of communications and Operation Round-Up coordinator. “We are so grateful to participating members for rounding up their bill each month to make this possible.”
Trustees representing each county in Central Electric’s territory review applications twice a year. The next grant deadline is May 1, 2026. More information is available at Central Electric Cooperative (https://www.centralec.coop).
